Exploring the History of the Battle of the Bulge

It's hard to imagine that in the little town of Bastogne, with its multicolored umbrellas now gently hovering above the main street, that from December 1944-January 1945, one of the bloodiest battles of World War II was raging in the woods and villages just a few kilometers away.

CIEE Brussels World Government students took an in-depth look at the Battle of the Bulge today.  With our amazing guide, Martin, the students studied battle maps, imagined what it was like in the foxholes covered in snow, and discovered monuments large and small.

We also visited the Luxembourg American Cemetery and the German Cemetary, where collectively over 10,000 soldiers are laid to rest from both sides of the fighting. The students also learned more about General Patton, who is laid to rest among his soldiers.

What became most clear to the students is the need for international diplomacy in order to prevent and avoid war at all costs, because even if there is a declared winner, both sides are losing fathers, sons, brothers, wives, mothers, and sisters.